Unmet needs for health information: a literature review

This paper explores the recent literature on unmet needs for health information, giving an overview of some of the research that has been carried out since Kempson's review and study in 1987. Many of the studies looking at health information needs have been approached from a narrow focus of individual information needs for specific services, with limited research into the views of the general public. The greatest demand for health information appears to be in the area of specific diseases and medical conditions with limited demand for information on the availability and quality of care. These findings may be a reflection of the narrow focus of much previous research and/or the limited availability of health information on access and quality. The paper argues for the need to look widely at the health information needs of households and families at all stages of health and illness, taking into account the interrelationship of needs and the social context in which such needs are, or are not perceived.